Pakistani security forces say at least 25 militants and three soldiers have died in the latest round of fighting in a northwestern tribal region near Afghanistan.

Military officials said Saturday the militants were killed in battles that broke out Friday in the Bajaur region in the Loi Sam and Rashakai areas. They say at least two of the soldiers killed were officers.

Bajaur is a key battleground in Pakistan's effort to drive out militants believed to be responsible for deadly attacks inside Pakistan and on neighboring Afghanistan.

The military says it has killed at least 1,000 Taliban and al-Qaida militants in the past month. More than 60 soldiers have died in the operation.

Pakistan is recovering from a massive suicide car bombing that killed 53 people in the capital, Islamabad, last week. The explosion gutted a luxury (Marriott) hotel and seriously shook the people's confidence in their security.